Sally asked for her hand in marriage on Dec. 26 – and it was no ordinary proposal for the View co-host, who also hosts GSN's The Newlywed Game, her rep tells PEOPLE in a statement.

"Upon arriving back to Lamar's home in Los Angeles from a trip to San Diego, Sherri was surprised to find their accommodations had been decorated with lights by one of Sal's best friends, her dog was wearing a Santa beard and hat, and, in the middle of a dish of Sherri's favorite but forbidden M&M's (she is diabetic), was a tiny little box," the statement says.

Before Sally popped the question, he sought permission from Shepherd's 5-year-old son, Jeffrey, with a little encouragement in the form of Michael Jackson's The Experience Wii game. "With that, Sal took a knee and, backed up by the King of Pop, popped the question," the statement continues.

The two were introduced by Jay Tucker, fiancé of Shepherd's close friend Niecy Nash, and have been together for more than a year. They are planning an August wedding in Chicago.

Shepherd, 43, plans to share details of her engagement and show off her engagement ring when The View returns live on Jan. 10.